Mumbai team geared up for Sachin's farewell Ranji tie

The 40-time Ranji champions Mumbai are gearing up for their opening match of the Ranji season against Haryana at Lahli, but there is a tinge of sadness with regards to the mood in the camp as Sachin Tendulkar will be playing his last Ranji tie.

"It is an emotional mood in the dressing room. We are very much looking forward to that (Ranji opener from October 27 at Lahli). It's a great opportunity for everybody and not just the players, to be with Sachin," said Mumbai coach Sulakshan Kulkarni after the team's practice session.

India's run-machine will be retiring from international cricket after playing the two-Test series against the West Indies at Kolkata (November 6-10) and Mumbai (November 14-18).

Sulakshan, who had played for Mumbai as a wicket-keeper, remembered the times when he and Tendulkar were teammates when the latter made his first class debut against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium.

"As far as I am concerned, I was there with him for his first first-class match and (will be there as coach in) this match also," he said.

Zaheer Khan will be captaining the Mumbai side in their match against Haryana as Rohit Sharma, who was named the state captain for the upcoming season, will be playing for the Indian team in the ODI series against Australia.

According to coach Kulkarni, the 35-year-old seasoned left-arm pacer bowled a lot in the nets and did so with good rhythm.

"He (Zaheer) has played 2-3 games for India A (against the touring West Indies A). He was in good touch and good rhythm. It is a long season ahead. He was very impressive in the nets. He bowled his heart out. He bowled a long spell and looked in good shape," Kulkarni said.

"It is a big match and the season opener. We are looking forward to a good game. Hopefully, we will come out with flying colours against Haryana. We are playing for the first time at Lahli. I don't know where the place is. Definitely, we will put up a good show," the coach added.

Asked if young batsman Siddhesh Lad would make his debut, Kulkarni said, "I don't know. He is very promising. He has done well in local cricket. Last year he played the Deodhar Trophy and against Saurashtra, he scored a hundred on his debut. But four-day cricket is different."